title: Identification of mycobacteria infecting fish to the species level using polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis.
abstract: An assay is described utilizing PCR technology for a rapid diagnostic test to identify fish infection with Mycobacterium marinum, M. fortuitum and M. chelonae. A 924 bp DNA fragment from a highly conserved area of the mycobacterial 16S rRNA gene was amplified using mycobacteria genus-specific primers and digested with restriction enzymes (BanI and ApaI). This examination yielded unique restriction patterns for each mycobacterial specie enabling identification of mycobacteria infecting fish to the species level. The protocol can be applied to purified DNA, a simple colony preparation or infected fish tissue. This protocol can be completed in 1-2 days.
authors.affiliation: Medical Service, Veterans' Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Talaat
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reimschuessel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trucksis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers; D015245:Deoxyribonuclease BamHI; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; D005393:Fish Diseases; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D015183:Restriction Mapping / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D015245:Deoxyribonuclease BamHI; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; C038485:GGGCCC-specific type II deoxyribonucleases